Signs, Accusations, and a Call to Listen: Jesus Confronts Unbelief (Luke 11:14-32)
Jesus had just done something incredible—He healed a man who couldn’t speak by casting out a demon. The crowd was amazed. You might think everyone would be filled with faith and excitement. But instead, something unexpected happened: some people began to criticize Him, and others asked for even more proof. What follows is a powerful moment where Jesus speaks honestly about belief, doubt, and the danger of ignoring the truth.
The Miracle That Sparked a Debate
Jesus healed a man who couldn’t talk. This was a clear and powerful act of compassion. The crowd could see that something amazing had happened—but not everyone responded with joy or trust.
Some people accused Jesus of using evil powers to do the miracle. Others weren’t sure what to believe and asked Him for another sign from heaven.
It’s surprising, isn’t it? Even after seeing a miracle, they still didn’t believe. This shows us that seeing something amazing doesn’t always lead to faith—sometimes people still choose to doubt.
Jesus Answers Their Accusations
Jesus didn’t stay silent. He pointed out how their thinking didn’t make sense. If Satan were casting out his own demons, his kingdom would fall apart. Why would evil fight against itself?
Instead, Jesus explained that He was using God’s power to drive out evil. And if that’s true, then it means something big: God’s kingdom has come close.
He then gave a picture. Imagine a strong man guarding his house. He feels safe until someone even stronger comes and takes over. Jesus is that stronger one—He comes to set people free from the grip of evil.
Then Jesus said something bold and clear:
“Anyone who isn’t with Me is against Me.”
There’s no middle ground. We’re either on His side or not.
A Warning About Staying Empty
Jesus gave another serious warning. He talked about what happens when someone is freed from evil but doesn’t invite anything good to take its place. That empty space can become a target again.
It’s like cleaning out a messy room but never filling it with anything new. Eventually, the mess just comes back—maybe even worse than before.
His message? Don’t just remove the bad. Fill your life with God’s presence, truth, and love.
Real Blessing Comes from Listening and Obeying
In the middle of the crowd, a woman shouted out praise for Jesus’ mother. But Jesus used that moment to make a deeper point:
“Blessed are those who hear God’s word and do what it says.”
While it’s good to honor His mother, Jesus said the true blessing comes when we listen to God and live by His words.
The Only Sign They Would Get
Some people kept asking for more signs to prove who Jesus was. But Jesus told them they wouldn’t get more signs—except one: the sign of Jonah.
Just like Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, Jesus was a sign to His generation. The people of Nineveh changed their ways when Jonah warned them. And the Queen of the South once traveled far to hear Solomon’s wisdom.
But now, someone far greater than Jonah or Solomon was standing in front of them—and many were ignoring Him.
A Choice That Still Matters Today
This moment in Jesus’ ministry is a powerful reminder that seeing isn’t always believing. Some people saw miracles and still doubted. Others asked for more proof but ignored the truth that was already in front of them.
Jesus invites us not just to admire what He does—but to respond. To trust Him. To follow Him. To fill our lives with His words and live them out.
The real question for us today is this: Are we listening? And even more—are we doing what He says?
Luke 11:14-32 (WEB)
11:14 He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the multitudes marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.” 16 Others, testing him, sought from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. A house divided against itself falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 But if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if I by God’s finger cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come to you.21 “When the strong man, fully armed, guards his own dwelling, his goods are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks him and overcomes him, he takes from him his whole armor in which he trusted, and divides his plunder.23 “He who is not with me is against me. He who doesn’t gather with me scatters.24 The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of the man, passes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will turn back to my house from which I came out.’ 25 When he returns, he finds it swept and put in order. 26 Then he goes and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first.”27 It came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts which nursed you!”28 But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.”29 When the multitudes were gathering together to him, he began to say, “This is an evil generation. It seeks after a sign. No sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. 30 For even as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will also be to this generation. 31 The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and will condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, one greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, one greater than Jonah is here.